It is so good to get back into patient care after almost a month of sailing and preparing for ministry here in Liberia. The first day back to work I felt like it was the first day of school :) Almost all of our translators have served with Mercy Ships during the previous outreaches here, so they are very experienced with Mercy Ships and are a great asset for us to learn about the Liberian culture. We could never serve effectively without these precious people who have come to work with us. I already have formed many new friendships among them.
Months ago, Dr. Tony and Anne Giles went by helicopter to remote villages throughout Liberia and began the long process of screening for our OR schedule. The OR procedures we are doing currently include: tumor resection, cleft lip and palate, hernia repair and burn contracture release. Many of the first patients I took care of initially were pediatric cleft lip and palate patients. Included among them are my three friends here in the photos: Helena, Mary and Washington.
Helena
The patients that have been chosen for surgery are being flown from these remote villages to the ship. The transition from remote village to the ship can be a very scary time for them. For many, this is their first time to see: a ship, stairs, electricity, machinery, glass. Simple steps up the gangway can take some time as we work with them to overcome fears of the unknown.
(Helena is now running to do the slide again :) )The children were initially very quiet and somber. Some of the peds patients would attempt to walk through the glass doors, only to get a painful bop on the face from the unforgiving object. So new pictures have been put up to warn our little friends that you can't walk through glass.
Balloons and stickers are like gold. Young and old alike, everyone loves them. The first time I put Disney's Cinderella on, it was so much fun to watch their reactions. A gasp went up as the duke dropped the glass slipper and it shattered on the floor. Then a cheer and clapping resounded as she pulled out the other one!! Mary Poppins has also been a favorite- as they are still trying to figure out how real life people and cartoons can react at the same time. (The part where Mary Poppins jumps into the life of the oil paintings. )
These photos are of my three little friends as they are learning how to climb the jungle gym. At first they were very timid and would keep looking back at me as I'd tell them to climb up to the next level. But as you can see from Helena- once they figured out the fun potential they possessed, they went nuts!!
Washington
One of the most amazing things that I have witnessed so far was the reuniting of father and daughter after 18 years of separation due to the civil war. The father, John David, was here for surgery on Mercy Ships. His daughter, now married and with two children of her own had just moved back to Monrovia- only to learn from a distant relative that her father was here on the ship. They were reunited in our ward, and he was able to meet his grandchildren for the first time the next morning! God is good!
This week we have admitted many of the pediatric burn patients. In West Africa, most accidents involving children are the result of open flame. Many of these children have been burned over their face, arms and chest. Some children have lost the use of their arms as they have contracted from scarring. Two of the patients are having grafts placed to create eyelids. These little ones will break your heart.
Little Chris has suffered from severe burns early in life. Despite all he has been through, he is a little boy full of giggles and joy. I taught him how to tickle- and he thinks it's the best thing! It's a new game to him :) (I don't think all of the nurses are so glad of his new trick though- haha). I'll be working, and I'll hear this little giggle as he will run and jump on my back and hold on for dear life.
Despite the many physical deformities, among many are souls searching for truth and newness of life. Families have been brutally ripped apart, lives destroyed and betrayed. Already we have heard comments from patients as they watch our health team work together in service. What is it that provides these westerners with joy? What it is that gives them purpose to live? Why do they treat us differently than those in our villages? Some of our Liberian brothers and sisters have a deep and strong faith in God and Jesus Christ. Others are searching for truth.... Continue to pray for these new friends as they heal both physically, emotionally and spiritually.
" And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in Him and he in God. Se we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God and God in him. By this love is perfected in us... There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. "
~ 1 John 4:14-17a, 18
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